Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud has formally initiated the process of appointing his successor by recommending Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, to the Union government. Justice Khanna, who ranks next in seniority, is poised to assume the role of CJI following Justice Chandrachud’s retirement on November 10. His tenure, although brief, will extend until May 13, 2025, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age, giving him approximately six months at the helm of India’s judiciary.

This recommendation follows a letter from the central government, sent on October 12, formally requesting CJI Chandrachud to name his successor. Upholding judicial tradition, CJI Chandrachud responded by endorsing Justice Khanna’s candidature. It is customary for the Ministry of Law and Justice to seek the name of the next Chief Justice from the outgoing CJI about a month before their retirement.

The appointment process is guided by the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), which stipulates that the most senior Supreme Court judge, deemed fit for the office, should be appointed as the CJI. With CJI Chandrachud’s recommendation now in place, the government is expected to issue a formal notification, designating Justice Khanna as the Chief Justice of India effective November 11.

Justice Chandrachud, who assumed the position of CJI on November 9, 2022, has presided over numerous landmark rulings during his tenure. His successor, Justice Khanna, brings a wealth of judicial experience and will likely steer the court through important cases during his brief, yet impactful, tenure.